‘I was Young Once’ (2016/17)

After running art workshops for adults with dementia I realised that as a society we have a habit of closing our eyes and ears to the reality of those living with the disease. I aim to challenge the way we perceive the people who live with it, aspiring to inject humanity back into the clinical outline of dementia – to see past the disease itself. Using pressed flowers from the Dundee University Herbarium Collection I have created laser etchings inspired by Dr Alosyius Alzheimer’s initial illustrations of tangles in the brain, the main cause of dementia. I drew parallels between these collections and the disease, both trapped in a moment in time. Altered yet still beautiful. The glitches and tangles in the brain are only part of who these people are. The soul, personality and presence are still there, ever changing and shimmering before us. Disordered, yet still tangible.

DJCAD Degree Show 2017

DJCAD Degree Show 2017

One of the comments I received during the degree show was how different the frames looked lined up. It was fascinating to see the layers all build up, and that’s something I want to work on in the future.

So pleased with how my vinyl letters came out, so much work to put them up but it was totally worth it.